Violet Idell Brown was born November 9, 1921, at Haydraw, SD, to Lena and Ludwig Solberg. Vi was one of seven siblings; two older brothers, Roy and John Solberg, and four younger sisters, Delores (Quinn), Fern (March/King), and twins, Jeanette (Darrow) and Jean (Swenson). They grew up on their Haydraw homestead with ranching and dairy farming chores. Vi loved riding her horse "Jeff" to the country school. She finished high school in Rapid City, excelling with bookkeeping courses.

After high school, she worked for Haley's Grocery Store, bookkeeping, where she met Ivan Ellis Brown. They were married June 24, 1943. Ivan served during WWII through the beginning of the Vietnam War in the US Air Force as a pilot, retiring as a Lt. Col. Vi lived as a military wife in Wyoming, California, South Dakota, Philippines, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, and back to South Dakota.

During their 20 years in the Air Force, they had three children, Robert "Bob," Barbara, and Carol. Barbara passed away from leukemia at 22 months of age. Ivan retired in 1965. Vi and Ivan made their home in Sturgis, SD. Ivan passed away at 57 years of age. Vi stayed in Sturgis and worked as a bookkeeper for Leo Wakefield Construction and later for Dr. John Ismay, DVM. She retired in her seventies.

She enjoyed bowling, volunteering with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, playing card games, and having dinners with family and friends. She loved visits from her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She enjoyed traveling with her friends, Irene Long, Ann Ehlers, Phyllis Oyler, and Bessie Trohkimoinen. She was always there for her children, grand, and great-grandchildren. She spent her final years in the old town site of Crook City located near Whitewood, SD, with her daughter and son.

Vi passed away Saturday, November 21, 2015, at the age of 94. She will be missed and loved by her family and friends.

Survivors include her sisters, Fern King, Dodgeville, WI, Jeanette Darrow, Hillsborough, NC, and Jean Swenson, Barneveld, WI; children, Bob Brown, Whitewood, SD, Caron (John) Trumpe, Whitewood, SD; grandchildren, Bill Trumpe, Sturgis, and Nicole (Jason) McFarland, Newcastle, WY; two great-grandchildren, Jory and Hunter McFarland, Newcastle; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A special Thank You to her many caregivers: Dr. Jason Knutson and staff, Spearfish Regional Hospital and staff, Safeway Pharmacy Staff, Whitewood Volunteer Ambulance Service, Comfort Keepers and staff, Northern Hills Hospice and staff, Kinkade Funeral Chapel and staff, Pastor David Baer, Danny Chapman, Black Hills National Cemetery, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, her many family and friends that have sent out prayers, and Our Holy Father, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit that have given Vi Eternal care and love.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 25, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 27, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Baer officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to the Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department and to Hospice of the Northern Hills.